Southern California -- this just in

Santa Ana to name police building for fired city manager

Santa Ana city leaders have agreed to name the city's police building in honor of former City Manager Paul Walters, a longtime city employee who was recently fired.

The move is part of a separation agreement, which was released Tuesday.

Walters was abruptly forced out of his city manager position by the council last month. Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinajero said the move was an effort to decentralize the power of longtime Mayor Miguel Pulido.

Walters, the city's former police chief, was seen as a Pulido ally.

Walters has been rehired as the city’s law enforcement liaison for one year. His salary of $265,000 will remain the same as what he earned as city manager, as will his benefits. He will also receive his unused vacation and sick leave from his previous positions in four separate payments.

The city also agreed to name the police building after Walters in 18 to 24 months.

“City shall place in the lobby of that building a plaque reciting Officer’s service to the City,” the agreement reads.

On Monday night, the city council announced the appointment of Kevin O’Rourke as the interim city manager.

He has more than two decades of city management experience from positions in California, including in Stanton, Buena Park and Fairfield. He also served as an interim city manager in Stockton and Woodland.

“We are very fortunate to have his incredible experience and familiarity with the Orange County region,” Pulido said in a statement.

Tinajero said last month that the council is “evolving."

"It's also about laying the foundation of transparency and breaking the shackles of the current centralized form of government that the mayor has enjoyed for the last 26 years," he said.

O’Rourke, who was hired with a unanimous vote, will begin with the city on Feb. 19.